AFP vows to cooperate in truce

WINNING MOMENT
Members of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (from left) Fidel Agcaoili, Coni Ledesma, Jose Maria Sison, Luis Jalandoni, Juliet de Lima and Asterio Palima raise their fists and hold an NDFP flag to mark the end of the first round of peace talks with the government panel in Oslo, Norway. EDRE OLALIA/CONTRIBUTOR

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Saturday lauded and vowed to abide by the indefinite ceasefire agreement between the Philippine government and the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

“It is a laudable move on the part of the CPP-NPA (New People’s Army)-NDF (National Democratic Front) to respond positively to President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of reimposition of the ceasefire ‘for as long as necessary’ to attain lasting peace in the land,” Col. Edgard Arevalo, AFP Public Affairs Office chief, said in a statement.

“The AFP [notes] with elation and optimism this breakthrough in the peace negotiations,” Arevalo added.

On Friday, the Duterte administration and communist rebels agreed to extend a unilateral ceasefire indefinitely at the end of the  of five-day peace talks in Oslo, Norway.

READ: Gov’t, Reds OK signing of indefinite ceasefire

“The AFP under the leadership of Gen. Ricardo Visaya will continue to uphold the letter and spirit of the ceasefire declaration of the commander-in-chief,” Arevalo said.

“The nation can rely on every soldier, sailor, marines, and airmen to help provide an environment conducive to peace so that the negotiators from both panels can work under the climate of trust and the prospect of reconciliation,” he added.

It can be recalled that Duterte called off the truce he declared during his first State of the Nation Address after NPA guerillas ambushed a militiaman and the communists did not immediately respond to his declaration. IDL

READ: Duterte calls off truce